Staying on top of all the moving parts of a complex project can be very challenging at the best of times. And while there are innumerable online tools and desktop programs that work great when you are sitting in front of your computer in your office, the reality of the situation might dictate that you need to work on the go too. And that’s when you’d need to leverage the best mobile project management apps on your smartphone or tablet.

While you may have the privilege of enjoying two (or more) large computer monitors at your desk, trying to take care of the same work on the single smaller screen of your mobile device requires a different kind of optimization. You need laser-like focus while retaining access to the big picture. Mobile project management apps are designed with this need in mind, oftentimes linking back to a larger desktop suite for when you’re back in the office.

Basecamp 3

No conversation on project management would be complete without mentioning Basecamp. The tool has become the de facto standard for businesses of all sizes and the accompanying mobile app is no exception. Accompanying the newest major release of Basecamp, the mobile app allows pings for quick discussion, Campefire group chats, and the ability to share anything with anyone, even if they are not a part of the project group.

Trello

If you want to keep both your personal and professional lives perfectly managed on the go, Trello could be the solution for you. Everything you need to do can be organized into boards, within which you can add a list with cards, dragging the cards from one list to another. With color coding, a Kanban-like approach, and an attractive visual presentation, this is the tool you’ll come back to again and again to get things done.

Asana

Designed with teams in mind, the Asana app lets you create tasks, to-dos, reminders and more on the go with just a few quick taps of the screen. You can easily see the list of “My Tasks” to understand what you need to do today, while also organizing your relationships based on the different teams and projects with which you are affiliated. Integration with other platforms like Dropbox, Github and Zendesk is a huge plus too.

LiquidPlanner

Practically everything you can do from the LiquidPlanner web-based interface on your computer, you can accomplish through the accompanying mobile app too. What makes this app different from other mobile project management apps is that is both priority-based and predictive in its approach. The utility performs “schedule calibrations” to optimize your workflow, letting you focus on what needs to be done right now across multiple projects.

Podio

Developed to work perfectly with small businesses too, Podio’s mobile app empowers you to “take your content and conversations with you.” Through the app, you can track your projects, communicate with team members (without messy email CC threads), and converse with clients to both present and receive feedback on the work you’ve done. The added management of deliverables really helps to set this platform apart. Podio also integrates with Google Drive, Evernote, GoToMeeting, Freshbooks and more.

A freelance writer and professional blogger based out of Vancouver, Canada, Michael Kwan focuses primarily in the areas of consumer electronics, entrepreneurship, and personal development. He blogs six times a week at Beyond the Rhetoric. Follow him on Twitter: @michaelkwan